The two-part drama tackles the real-life murder of Banaz Mahmod.
ITV two-part drama Honour, which arrives on Netflix UK on Tuesday 9th July, tells the true story of Banaz Mahmod, who was the victim of a so-called honour killing back in 2006.
The 20-year-old Iraqi Kurdish woman from south London was killed on the orders of her father and uncle after leaving her abusive husband for another man.
Both men were eventually convicted of their crimes after a complicated and extensive investigation led by DCI Goode, played here by Keeley Hawes.
“This story shows the sheer heroism and dedication of the police officers who hunted down her killers,” said writer Gwyneth Hughes. “Caroline Goode and her team felt real love for this girl they’d never met. I found their unusual warmth and humanity deeply moving.”
Read more:
- What is the real-life story behind ITV’s factual drama Honour?
- Keeley Hawes feels “huge” responsibility to Banaz Mahmod as ITV reveals first trailer for Honour
Hawes, who said it was a “privilege to be working on Honour”, highlighted the importance of telling such stories “in a time where honour killings are still rife”.
“Banaz Mahmod’s story, and DCI Goode’s subsequent investigation, is certainly one that needs to be told and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Alongside Hawes, the cast features a number of familiar faces, plus some you might not recognise.
Read on for a rundown of main characters in Honour.
Honour Cast
- Buket Kömür as Banaz Mahmod
- Keeley Hawes as DCI Caroline Goode
- Rhianne Barreto as Bekhal
- Mark Stanley as DS Andy Craig
- Alexa Davies as Keilly Jones
- Michael Jibson as DS Stuart Reeves
- Moe Bar-El as Rahmat Sulemani
- Umit Ulgen as Mahmod Mahmod
- Selva Rasalingam as Ari Mahmod
- Fisun Burgess as Behya
- Waj Ali as Mohamad Hama
Buket Kömür plays Banaz Mahmod
Who is Banaz Mahmod? A 20-year-old Iraqi Kurdish woman from south London who was murdered in 2006. “Banaz Mahmod met her brutish death on the orders of her own father and uncle, which I find profoundly unsettling,” said Hughes.
Where have I seen Buket Kömür before? You might also recognise her from ITV thriller Our House.
Keeley Hawes plays DCI Caroline Goode
Who is DCI Caroline Goode? The real-life former Scotland Yard detective who investigated the murder of Banaz Mahmod, and who was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal for her efforts.
Banaz (seen in short police interview clips, and played by Buket Komur) was killed in 2006 on the orders of her father and uncle after she left an abusive relationship to be with another man.
Where have I seen Keeley Hawes? Hawes first came to our attention in the likes of Tipping the Velvet and Spooks, and has gone on to star in (and often headline) projects as varied as Ashes to Ashes (as Alex Drake), ITV’s The Durrells, Line of Duty (as Lindsay), and the record-breaking BBC thriller Bodyguard.
Rhianne Barreto plays Bekhal
Who is Bekhal? The older sister of Banaz Mahmod, Bekhal ran away from the family home prior to her sister’s death. She testified for the prosecution during the trial related to Banaz’s murder.
Where have I seen Rhianne Barreto before? Barreto is best known for playing Sophie in the first season of Amazon Prime Video’s Hanna. She’s also starred in the TV series Dixi, and more recently in Isolation Stories and Day by Day.
Mark Stanley plays DS Andy Craig
Who is DS Andy Craig? DS Andy Craig is a police detective working on the investigation into the so-called ‘honour killing’ of Banaz Mahmod.
Where have I seen Mark Stanley before? Stanley recently reprised his role as alcoholic detective Hugo Duffy in the second season of Netflix police procedural drama Criminal: UK. He also recently starred opposite his Honour co-star Alexa Davies in another factual time Drama, White House Farm. Other projects have included Sanditon (as Lord Babington), Elizabeth is Missing, the TV mini-series Little Women (as Professor Bhaer) and Run (as Finnie).
Alexa Davies plays Keilly Jones
Who is Keilly Jones? An analyst working on the police investigation into the disappearance and murder of Banaz Mahmod.
Where have I seen Alexa Davies before? Davies is no stranger to factual crime drama, having recently played Julie Mugford in the drama White House Farm. She’s also starred in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (as Young Rosie); Detectorists (as Kate); Silent Witness; Raised by Wolves; Harlots (as Betsey Fletcher); and Dead Pixels.
Michael Jibson plays DS Stuart Reeves
Who is DS Stuart Reeves? DS Stuart Reeves is a police detective investigating the death of Banaz Mahmod in 2006.
Where have I seen Michael Jibson before? Two years ago Jibson won an Oliver Award for his performance as King George III in Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton in London. On-screen, he’s appeared in big budget films including Beauty and the Beast, 1917 (as Lieutenant Hutton), and Les Misérables (as the Foreman who fires Fantine). More recently, he played Tecwen Whittock in ITV’s factual comedy drama Quiz.
Moe Bar-El plays Rahmat Sulemani
Who is Rahmat Sulemani? The boyfriend of Banaz Mahmod, and the man she left her abusive husband for.
Where have I seen Moe Bar-El? The actor is best known for roles in The Bureau (as Shapur Zamani) and in Tehran (as Karim). He’s also appeared in the likes of Casualty, Doctors, and Snatch.
Umit Ulgen plays Mahmod Mahmod
Who is Mahmod Mahmod? The father of Banaz and Bekhal Mahmod.
Where have I seen Umit Ulgen before? The actor has made appearances in projects as varied as Doctor Strange (as Sol Rama), The Tunnel, The Bureau (as Commendenant Sehrat), and Spectre.
Selva Rasalingam plays Ari Mahmod
Who is Ari Mahmod? The uncle of Banaz and Bekhal Mahmod.
Where have I seen Selva Rasalingham before? Rasalingham played Umar Kazemi in EastEnders, and Barek in Versailles. He’s also starred in Cursed, Skyfall, The Mummy (as King Menehptre), and The Devil’s Double.
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